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Fatwa CenterRestrictions on women leading the prayers
Question
Why aren't women allowed to be Imam, or lead any prayers except when there are only women gathered?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. A woman is not allowed to lead her Maharim or others in prayers. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: Never will succeed a nation that makes a woman their leader. [Reported by Imam al-Bukhari ] The Hadith is common. It covers the matters related to the prayers as well as other matters. A woman in prayers stands in the rear rows not the front ones. Anas (Radiya Allahu Anhu) said, The orphan and I aligned behind the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and my mother stood behind us. [Reported by Imam al-Bukhari ] The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) also said: The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst one the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) also said: The Imam is made to be followed. Thus, how would it be possible to follow the one whose best place is the last rows? Also exposing a woman to men leads to temptation. Ibn Qudama wrote in 'al-Mughni': Muslim jurists do not allow a woman to lead a man in obligatory prayers or in supererogatory ones. The same opinion is reported from Imam al-Shafi'e in his book 'al-Umm'. Allah knows best.
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